Sponsored Content by Glas-ColNov 23 2018
As far back as the 19th century, the cultivation of cells or tissues extracted from a biopsy was explored in analytical biology. However, zoologists at the time did not have the required laboratory instrumentation or knowledge in order to culture tissues successfully in the absence of the parent organism.
Later, progress was made, as suitable solutions, which provided the required nutrients in order to facilitate cell growth, were discovered. These included blood serum, plasma, and lymph. Advanced process control technology was also required for these dispersants, in order to isolate cells from extraneous matter and carefully regulate the resultant culture’s physiochemical conditions.
At two primary stages of the tissue culture specimen preparation, laboratory rotators have been specifically designed to perform both of the following processes:
- Agitating samples in suspension and isolating the desirable cells from their extracellular structure
- Continuously agitating samples and encouraging cell growth within a dispersive solution
The majority of tissue cultures are grown on a substrate once a laboratory rotator has been used to isolate the cells. Cell growth on the flat surface is then encouraged by the dispersant, and optical microscopy can be used to assess this directly.
A dispersant media can be used to directly grow alternative cell cultures. Two stages of agitation are typically required for this. Necessary analyte cells are isolated by the first as the sample is suspended in a digestive solution and rotated at speed. The second occurs when the isolated cells are dispersed in growth media and rotated gently in order to maintain the required reaction conditions.
Some of the first biological tissue samples to be grown successfully in a research environment were simple nerve cells bathed in lymph. Nowadays, the culturing of complex tissues like human stem cells in either synthetic or biological media is possible.
This is courtesy of significant enhancements in the scientific community’s understanding of molecular biology, as well as the ready availability of precise laboratory equipment, like tissue culture rotators.
Tissue Culture Rotators from Glas-Col
Glas-Col supplies a wide variety of laboratory rotators which are suitable for tissue culture specimens or cell isolation. Engineered for variable speed rotation which ranges from severe agitation to gentle sloshing, their rugged rotator is a versatile piece of laboratory equipment. It is possible to clamp the rotator head to provide leverage for the ideal positioning of the motor, at any point along an arc measuring 110°.
Consequently, extraordinary control of the agitation conditions is provided, encouraging the isolation of cells at quicker speeds and cell growth at slower speeds. Glas-Col’s Mini Rotator is perfectly suited for lower throughput tissue culturing, as it provides centrifugal agitation of micro-test tubes at speeds varying from 2 to 80 RPM.
All of these instruments need to be first equipped with Glas-Col’s additional Tissue Culture Head before undertaking cell growth experiments. This is small enough to fit inside the majority of benchtop incubators for cell growth applications with temperature-critical parameters, and can hold as many as 108 micro-test tubes for simultaneous agitation.
About Glas-Col
Glas-Col is the world's leading manufacturer of laboratory products and industrial heating and mixing technology. The combination of modern facilities, and highly trained personnel, keep Glas-Col on the leading edge of technology for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, semiconductor, industrial, and the research & development industry.
Ongoing product development, using state-of-the-art manufacturing concepts and materials, is one of the key ingredients to Glas-Col's continued success in meeting our client's application requirements.
With over 70 years of experience Glas-Col is also capable of meeting the needs of researchers and scientists. Our laboratory equipment and industrial products are backed by our excellent service, support and technical know how. Glas-Col is an ISO certified company and has maintained this certification for fourteen straight years. Our goal is to provide quality laboratory equipment, safety accessories and industrial products which will provide you, the customer, repeatable, reliable, results.
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